• It's worse than that - Peter Gunn 11:13:41 03/26/07 (5)
  In Reply to: Wow. What a story. Gives one some perspective. posted by powermatic on March 26, 2007 at 09:52:58:

  He suffered from some sort of chronic pain syndrome. There was nothing actually wrong with him, yet his knees and then his hands would send his brain terrible sensations of pain. I was talking to him on the phone once and you could sense how much agony he was in and he cut the call short.

  His wife said he went on a business trip (he was on the road to pick up another pair of speakers) and they found him dead in his hotel bed, and the autopsy showed he overdosed on his pain medication. She said that when he was really suffering he would lose track of how much he'd taken.

  I still can't believe it.

  
  It's all about the music...
  
  

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  • Re: It's worse than that - wazoo 19:05:30 03/26/07 (4)
    In Reply to: It's worse than that posted by Peter Gunn on March 26, 2007 at 11:13:41:

    That sounds like phantom pain syndrome, which is usually associated with amputees. It can be quite intractable. The pain doesn’t actually originate where it is sensed (as it couldn’t in an amputated limb). It would be an awful thing to live with in any case, but I’m sorry to hear about his passing.

    It’s certainly understandable that such a condition could cause him to lose track of his dosing (the medication was probably not terribly effective). It’s very sad – and to leave such young children, it’s all the more so. You’re a good man to assist his widow as you mentioned – she’ll definitely need all the help she can get. How is she handling it emotionally (stupid question, I know)?

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    A friend of mine died a little over a week ago, but he was a bit older (57). He had liver cancer, but survived until a transplant could be arranged. He just didn’t make it through the surgery – his heart failed a few hours into the procedure. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy – always had a smile on his face (until the last time I saw him that is).

    Life is such a fragile thing.
    
    

    
    "Jazz is not dead - it just smells funny" FZ ♬
    
    

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    • Re: It's worse than that - Peter Gunn 20:04:48 03/26/07 (3)
      In Reply to: Re: It's worse than that posted by wazoo on March 26, 2007 at 19:05:30:

      It was bizarre from the get go because I had a premonition of his doom beforehand. The minute I didn't hear from him when I thought I should have I just knew it, and was even telling people I was afraid something happened.

      Eventually I called and got his wife, and when she confirmed it, I was dumbstruck. In fact I was so befuddled she told me I should call back when I compose myself.

      She appears to be a really strong woman, and she's going to need to be. She said the fact that his pain is finally over gives her some comfort. Thanks for your thoughts.

      
      It's all about the music...
      
      

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      • Re: That is bizarre, but... - wazoo 05:34:50 03/27/07 (2)
        In Reply to: Re: It's worse than that posted by Peter Gunn on March 26, 2007 at 20:04:48:

        ...it's not all that unusual. It's strange how we sometimes "get a feeling" that something is wrong, and then we find out how right that feeling is.

        She *does* sound like a strong woman, and you're right - she is going to need to be. So are the kids; it's tough to lose a parent (not speaking from experience). It's good that she has that attitude about his no longer being in pain.

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        I hate to ask such a morbid question, but I am curious about his autopsy. They investigated the cause of death, but since he suffered from such an unusual affliction, was his brain subjected to any post mortem study? His problem most certainly had a neurological cause (though it wasn't necessarily in his brain).

        There is an opposite disorder (pain asymbolia) which can result from damage to the insular cortex (between the parietal and temporal lobes) that severs the communication link back to the limbic system (cingulate gyrus for instance). Such an individual senses painful stimulus, but fails to register the agony of pain - there is no emotional reaction. So, the person may react to striking his thumb with a hammer by laughing - odd, really odd.

        Phantom sensations can also be intriguing. A woman who has undergone a radical mastectomy may "feel" stimulation in her missing nipple from having her earlobe stroked. The dark side of all of this is the issue of phantom pain. I simply can't imagine that horror, but it is a fascinating subject (and has much to teach us about our brains).

        There is another condition called gaze tinnitus. If one who suffers this oddity looks straight ahead, all is well. But the moment he moves his eyes to the left or right, he hears ringing. Since the oculomotor nerve nucleus is right next to the auditory nerve nucleus (which fails to receive input from the auditory nerve coming from one of his inner ears), nerve impulses to move the eyes invade the adjacent auditory nerve nucleus and the person hears ringing. (I figured that example was a little more relavent to the topics usually discussed in these threads.)

        Sorry, I just find these things really interesting. It's one thing to read about them in books; it's quite another to actually know (or be) someone who suffers from any of these maladies. I hope my ramblings are accepted in the spirit they were intended. I am sorry to hear about your friend's death and I feel for his family.

        
        

        
        "Jazz is not dead - it just smells funny" FZ ♬
        
        

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        • Re: That is bizarre, but... - Peter Gunn 07:11:45 03/27/07 (1)
          In Reply to: Re: That is bizarre, but... posted by wazoo on March 27, 2007 at 05:34:50:

          Your interest is fine, but I did not get into such detailed personal questions and at this stage and I'm not about to. She has enough on her plate.

          I never heard of any of the things you mentioned. Again it just makes one really appreciate good health which really is worth more than all the treasures of earth.

          
          It's all about the music...
          
          

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          • Re: I understand completely - wazoo 07:26:02 03/27/07 (0)
            In Reply to: Re: That is bizarre, but... posted by Peter Gunn on March 27, 2007 at 07:11:45:

            Now isn't the time to be asking such things. I wasn't expecting an immediate answer, and I have no reason to "expect" an answer at all. If you eventually hear...well, I'm just curious.

            As I mentioned, I simply find these topics fascinating. You couldn't be more correct; it *really* makes one appreciate his health (at least, it should). I know the nearly perfect health I enjoy could abandon me at any time - live while you can! Enjoy each moment as much as possible because once it's gone, it's gone
            

            
            "Jazz is not dead - it just smells funny" FZ ♬
            
            

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